Former Dean Pétel returns to Montpellier law school after five years of ban from practice

Philippe Pétel a repris ses cours de droit commercial à la faculté de Droit à Montpellier. Midi Libre – RICHARD DE HULLESSEN

Condamné pour avoir participé au commando de la fac de droit pour déloger des étudiants dans un amphithéâtre en 2018, l'ancien doyen a repris ses cours à Montpellier. 

While the March 22 collective, formed after the violence that occurred at the law school in 2018, announced that three complaints from victims had again been filed with the prosecutor, its members also indicated that the former dean, Philippe Pétel, was able to resume his commercial law courses with the third year of the faculty.

Sentenced to criminal charges for his involvement, he was also banned from teaching for five years. "He has served his sanction", observes the collective.

Reminder of the facts

On the night of March 22 to 23, 2018, a commando essentially composed of hooded individuals armed with pieces of pallets and an electric pulse gun, had violently evacuated an amphitheater of the law faculty occupied by students, injuring eight young people.

Seven people, almost all close to the extreme right, were identified by the police investigation and tried in May 2021. All were found guilty of intentional violence in meeting or complicity.

They were sentenced to prison terms, with the exception of the former dean of the law faculty, Philippe Pétel, who received 18 months in prison with reprieve.